Billur’s Maldives Adventure – 8 Islands in 8 Days

Here at Crusader Travel, we pride ourselves on our extensive knowledge of the destinations we sell to our clients and I would like to tell you about my recent Maldives adventure, which saw me visit eight islands in eight days!

Vivanta By Taj – Coral Reef
This lovely island is perfect for exotic ocean views and spectacular sunsets. It was a great way to start to my Maldives adventure. It has an impressive design and offers a laid-back luxury experience for the perfect tropical holiday. As well as an abundance of tropical fish and stingrays, it has its very own coral-covered shipwreck 22 metres underwater – perfect for divers to discover without even needing to board a boat. Back on land, the Jiva Spa offers soothing Indian-inspired massages.

We had a site visit and lunch at Cinnamon Dhonoveli.  I didn’t know that surfing was big in the Maldives, but this is the island for it…

Kurumba Maldives
This beautiful 5* Island was the very first Maldivian resort and offers a convenient location and amazing hospitality. You will be spoiled for choice with eight restaurants, three bars and more. Kurumba also has a house reef – just steps from the beach, which is great for snorkeling and diving packages which are available to pre-book.

Kuramathi Island Resort
Kuramathi is ideal if you’re seeking plenty of facilities as well as relaxation. I was lucky enough to stay at Island’s newly built Deluxe Water Villas, set in the middle of a vast turquoise lagoon, the Deluxe Water Villa feature a king-sized bed and a daybed. The spacious bathroom offers a freestanding bath and opens onto an expansive deck with steps down to the blue waters.

For the best overwater experience, opt for one of the new Deluxe Water Villas where I stayed – you certainly won’t be disappointed. Two-storey Two Bedroom Beach Houses are just by the water edge and ideal for families or friends travelling together.

No Maldives Adventure would be complete (for me anyway!) without a snorkeling trip, as well as a diving excursion by boat. We had a site visit and lunch at Kandolhu, although children are allowed I think this is a truly couples island and considering its tiny size plenty to offer. The resort’s house reef is spectacular – take a leisurely circle around the island and you’ll see a variety of corals full of colourful fish, very often alongside turtles (we saw two) and baby sharks.

Constance Moofushi Maldives
This Gorgeous Island was one of my favourites. With its dazzling sands and coral lagoon, Moofushi is possibly the most picture perfect of all of the islands. It is a perfect combination of luxury and simplicity where everything is taken care of with their amazing All-Inclusive Cristal Package.

They also have one of the best diving sites in the world around the South Ari Atoll and I was lucky enough to dive at the Shark point short boat drive to the Island. The water around Constance Moofushi is also on the migration route of mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and sea eagles.

Maafushivaru
Located in the southern tip of the picturesque atoll of Ari, Maafushivaru’s secret delight is its beautiful uninhabited sister island, Lonubo. For an authentic deserted islet experience, take a short boat ride across to this tiny desert island for romantic picnics and dining or even a wonderful overnight stay. Maafushivaru possesses an enviable location, a place world-famous for amazing scuba diving, where whale sharks and manta rays can usually be seen year round.

Baros Maldives
As a small leading luxury hotel Maldives resort, Baros offers complete luxury escape. Its timeless, elegant facilities include the architecturally spectacular The Lighthouse restaurant with its tented white roof, and the exclusive Piano Deck offering yoga, massages or dinner on a deck isolated in the middle of a sparkling lagoon.

Baros also has a stunning house reef full of spectacular marine life just a few strokes from the beach and there are 30 world class dive spots within 50 minutes by boat. At the Dive Centre guests can learn not only scuba diving but also participate in Eco Diving at the EcoDive Centre, which is the first in the Maldives Islands.

If you would like to have your own bespoke Maldives adventure, or for further info on holidays to the Maldives, call us on 020 8744 0474